The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) of Singapore has introduced several critical updates to the regulatory landscape for cellular terminals. These changes, effective as of March and April 2026, focus on strengthening safety standards and public emergency preparedness.
New Cellular Terminal Standards (Rev 4)
IMDA has published IMDA TS CMT Issue 1 Rev 4, which introduces revised safety and radio requirements for 4G and 5G cellular terminals. Manufacturers must ensure their technical documentation and test reports are aligned with these new specifications for all future type approval applications.
Mandatory Emergency Cell Broadcast (ECB)
As of April 1, 2026, all new mobile handsets sold in Singapore must support Emergency Cell Broadcast (ECB) capabilities. This feature allows the government to send critical public safety alerts to all connected devices in real-time. Devices lacking this support will no longer be eligible for IMDA certification.
Key Compliance Deadlines:
- ECB Support: Mandatory for all new handset certification applications as of April 1, 2026.
- 2G Functionality: By December 31, 2026, all mobile handsets must have 2G functionality disabled by default in their factory configurations.
HertzWeg Insight:
"Singapore is prioritizing public safety and spectral efficiency. The 2G sunset is nearing its final stage, and the ECB mandate is non-negotiable. We recommend device manufacturers perform a software/firmware audit now to ensure their 2026 Singapore variants are compliant."
HertzWeg provides expert guidance on IMDA type approval. We help you interpret technical standards and manage your entire certification portfolio for the Singapore market.